Islam: September 2007 Archives

"Ramadan is the (month) in which the Qur'an was sent down, as a guide to mankind, also clear (signs) for guidance and judgment (between right and wrong)." (Qur'an 2:185)

Aside from fasting, the importance of reflecting on the Qur'an, and reading it in its entirety if possible, is central to Ramadan.  It was in this month that the revelation of the Qur'an to the Prophet Muhammad is said to have begun.  For many busy Muslims who might not read the Qur'an regularly, Ramadan offers that opportunity to reconnect with a conduit that Muslims believe represents a direct relationship between humans and their Creator.

For most people who are not Muslim, however, their introduction to the Qur'an is somewhat different.  It usually takes the shape of belligerent verses offered through soundbites as proof of Islam's inherent violent and/or intolerant nature.  Both Muslim extremists and those seeking to demonize Islam use the same tactics. This constant attempt to redefine the central theme of the Qur'an has had a corrosive effect on the relationships between Muslims and their neighbors.